Friday, February 25, 2011

What Do These Things Have in Common?

6:38 AM | Posted by Anne | | Edit Post

Can you tell me what the next three pictures have in common?

Give up?

They are all things I will be eating on my trip in 3 WEEKS!

My parents are sending me to Italy to see my new nephew and of course Ellen, Luca and Emma.

Then I am taking my Nana to London for a few days because it has two of her favourite things there.

Fish and Chips and the Royal Family.

Then we go back to Italy for a few days.

Then I have a layover in Paris for a day.

Trip of a lifetime.

I am just disappointed Joel can't join me and will be here studying instead.

I will have to find a really good present for him. 

Other then that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with happiness and love?

I feel that way right now. 

Thanks Mom and Dad! 

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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Only took 3.5 weeks, pretty good!

9:29 AM | Posted by Anne | | Edit Post

I didn't post anything about it because I wanted it to be a surprise. But I sent a big package to my sister and her family in Italy. And to my surprise it only took 3.5 weeks to get there. For those of you that think that is a long time. It is not. It takes about 3-4 weeks to get a letter from Canada and it is WAY closer then Italy. 

The package had a little something for everyone...

A new quilt for the new baby

A homemade, wonky IPod case for Luca for his birthday

Apparently his favourite part is the button

A dress for Emma for her birthday

And Ellen well she got gum and a magazine. But not just any gum. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream flavoured gum. Crystal (my sister-in-law) gave me 3 packs for Christmas. Knowing how much my sister loves everything mint chocolate as much as I do I knew I would have to sacrifice and share. 

And life is just better with a celebrity style magazine. Even if you have 2 kids under the age of 3 with not a moment to yourself.

I'm glad they liked everything and it was sort of a surprise even though mom gave it away that it was coming.  Happy Birthday Emma, Luca and Alex. And Ellen great job on making super adorable babies! You deserve the gum! 

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My Kinda Day

5:28 PM | Posted by Anne | | Edit Post

Today was my kinda day. 

It started off doing my favourite hike on the island (Sandy Cruz), with some great girls.

Lauren, Ashley and Angela (sorry the picture is kinda blurry)

The hike ended in The Bottom so we said hi to the hubbies who were on lunch. Then headed down to the coffee shop to meet up with some other wives and have lunch. We ended up staying there for a while. So long in fact that the boys were pretty much done school so we caught a ride home with them. 

Then the excitement started.

We got a package in the mail.

A big one! 

From Joel's family

With many layers around it to keep it safe.

But we got through and Sophie was very excited to find a gift in there for her. 

She knew right away that it was for her. 

She couldn't even wait for Joel to open it before her head was in it.

Treats! Bones and a squeaky toy, her favourites! 

Thanks! This made my day, love Sophie

Then Joel found his favourite treats in the box too. Chocolate covered pretzels. 

He even shared some with me already.

Look at this stash!

Let's see if I can name everything, just to make you all jealous...

Granola bars (Kashi, the good ones!), twizzlers, M & Ms, dried blueberries, books, DVDs, adorable yellow fabric, ric rac, zippers, stitch rippers (2 because I am good at losing them), trail mix, beef jerky, dog treats, dog toy, chocolate covered pretzels, elastic and Joel's Birthday presents.

This my reaction to all the fun sewing things I got!

(Don't mind my bad hair and outfit I just got back from the hike)

These pictures are of Joel opening his birthday presents early because I told him to.

Yay birthday cards

Yay presents!

Just what he wanted a lap top cover. Love the smile. 

More presents!

He loves Ritz.

Check out the new cover in action. It is REALLY nice.

And Joel was just complaining yesterday there were no snacks in the house. Well we are fully stocked now. Thank you soooo much for the fun package. I had so much fun opening it up and I am pretty sure Joel and Sophie did too. 

We are going out for dinner tonight for BBQ ribs with friends. The perfect ending to this fantastic day! 

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Thursday, February 17, 2011

Valentine's Day, a few days late

9:59 AM | Posted by Anne | | Edit Post

Here is a quick little overview of what Joel and I did for Valentine's day. 

We celebrated it yesterday because he had exams.

But don't worry I woke up on Monday morning to a Valentine and some candy waiting for me on the table. Just like my dad always did for me. 

After school I met Joel and we did a hike I have been wanting to do for a while. 

The Ladder

 A set of stairs that take you from The Bottom all the way to the ocean. 

This is where ships used to anchor and then Sabans carried the cargo up these stairs. 

This is the beginning.

Can you see how far the water is?

  

At least it is a beautiful walk

Daddy long legs taking the lead

The water looked beautiful

Just a little bit more...

Our rocky coastline. 

Enjoying our time together

We got down the the rocky coastline and the water looked so inviting so we had to go in. And much to our surprise a few feet in there was a sandy bottom to stand on. The water was gorgeous and it was soooo nice to go swimming. Even though I did have a little accident on the rocks getting in and ended up with a bruised and cut up hand. It was totally worth it! 

We headed home after swimming to have some dinner.

I don't allow Joel to buy roses on Valentine's day. 

And why should he here when I found these beautiful flowers in our back yard! 

For dessert we had some Valentine's day themed cheesecake.

And when I say we I mean Joel because cheesecake is gross. 

We finished the night off with friends at open mike night at Swinging Doors. 

So much fun! 

Perfect day together.

Love you sweetie and I am sooooo very proud of all you have accomplished so far! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day! 

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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Better Then Nothing

3:51 PM | Posted by Anne | | Edit Post

I have had some complaints lately that there has not been a new post in a long time. I didn't realize it had been so long. My bad. In all honesty not much has been going on around here. Just the usual, SOS activities, working, cooking, and only a tiny bit of sewing. I did get the fabric for Emma's quilt but I have only finished about 5 or 6 blocks out of the like 42 I have to do. Wish me luck! And people have been asking for more info on Ellen's baby. His official name is Alexander Thomas. I don't know how much he weighed, I know I am a bad auntie. But I am the only one he has so he is stuck with me.

Since I don't have any new or interesting pictures and I have no new news I thought I would share with you some of the things I miss and don't miss from back home.

I miss fresh meat. Oh Deluca's I would love to come and browse that wonderful counter with homemade chicken sausage and fresh lamb...
I don't miss the weather. Though I sweat a lot more then I would like to here, I don't have to shovel snow or wear multiple layers.
I miss getting my hair cut. Oh do I need a hair cut. This hair has not seen scissors since the beginning of July. I have not found a place here that anyone recommends so we will have to see if I can find a place on our vacation in April.
I don't miss the hustle and bustle of "civilization". Everything here moves a little slower and takes a little longer to get done but I don't mind. Maybe because I have all the time in the world right now. *Ellen it kind if reminds me of Italy but people are nicer :)
I miss doing my own laundry. I didn't think I did till I was able to do it for myself a little while ago. I guess I am like my Nana in that way. Who doesn't like folding clothes fresh out of the dryer. Well I am sure lots of people don't but I kinda like it.
I don't miss commuting to work. The longest it takes to get anywhere on the island is 15 minutes. It takes about 5 to get into "town" and that is where my work is. When I worked in Winnipeg it would take 40-45 minutes. I have soooo much extra time.
I miss rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. I made a roasted chicken yesterday and though it was delicious I miss the convenience and ease of just stopping off and getting one already made.
I don't miss working. Is that a bad thing to say? I love my job here interacting with people and working a couple shifts a week. I don't miss the 40 hour work weeks sitting in front of a computer. I do like working at home doing what I want to do on my time. I am still looking for that job everyone strives for, you know the one where you actually look forward to going to work. Do any of you have that kind if job?
I miss shopping in huge malls and supermarkets where you can find just about anything you want. Someone here told me that our grocery store is the size of the junk food section at their store at home. Just to put it into perspective for the people that live in North Kildonan. It is about the same size (if not smaller) of Family Foods and even has a section for alcohol and housewares.
Okay I ran out of things I don't miss. I am sure there are some but I can't seem to think of any. So let me add to the things I do miss...
I miss family and friends. Those people that know me so well I don't even have to say anything.
I miss my bed. My super comfortable queen (not full sized like we have here) size bed with our fluffy down comforter that actually covers us both when we sleep.
I miss fast internet. Enough said.
I miss being able to walk on flat ground. There's not much of that around here.
I miss a large oven. One that fits more then one 9 x 13 pan and actually has a broiler.
I miss long hot showers. I get warm showers but they are short, just not the same.

Okay I am stopping there. Of course I miss home and all the things I can't get here but I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I love it here. It is beautiful, relaxing (for me not Joel) and an amazing experience. I just started thinking of all these things because I booked my plane tickets home. I will be home in 4 and a half months! Joel and I looked through his calendar and that is best for him to have uninterrupted study time with only 15 minute Skype breaks. He will be preparing for his final exam and will have to review everything he has learned here. So Sophie and I are heading home and looking for a job. Me not Sophie. So if anyone comes across anything where they will be hiring in July keep me in mind!

Well this is a very long winded post for someone who had nothing to say. Let me know what you miss when you are away from home. I would love to hear!

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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Cook, Bake, Sew, Repeat

2:37 PM | Posted by Anne | | Edit Post

All I have been doing for the last couple weeks is just that. Cooking, baking, sewing and I guess working. I really like my job so I don't really consider it work. Now that I have a full sized freezer I have been filling it with all sorts of things for a raining day. Or a day I don't feel like cooking. In the last two weeks I have made perogies, pesto, meatballs, muffins, and cookies for my freezer. Lasagnas are next this week and maybe calzones if I feel like it. 

I replanted some of my garden and felt like 3 basil plants was a bit much so I took one out and made pesto. I have always wanted to do it this way. I made it and put it in ice cube trays so I could just take a little out at a time. First of all they are super cute and secondly I have already used it twice. I used it for pizza sauce and for little appetizers I made. Here's a picture.

Sometimes my baking includes other people. Amanda and Lauren sometimes get together to bake on Sunday afternoon when the husbands study so I invited myself over on a block weekend. Here we are relaxing while the cookies bake.

I brought a friend as well. Can you see how Lauren lives in the clouds?! 

Also I am nooo good at keeping secrets or surprises so I had to show Ellen and Luca the quilt for new baby Alex (well I think that is his name, these two always take forever to name their kids). So since I showed them the quilt I can now show you! I think it is super cool especially because it has guitars on the back.

And then since I was on a roll I decided to make Emma a dress. I think it is adorable, I'm super proud of it. I used a pattern Joel's mom bought me. But I got a little confused with the instructions so it ended up being a hybrid of the pattern and a tutorial I found online. It was WAY easier then I thought it would be. 

Which leads me to today. I forgot that I still had a Christmas present from my sister that was untouched. And I wanted to make it REAL bad! So I whipped this little number up this afternoon. Mind you it was super easy because everything was already cut and it came with very clear instructions. Thanks Ellen!! What do you think? 

Just so you don't think I am super artistic or anything I copied the photo idea from the instruction manual, Saban style (the rock walls are very typical Saban if you are wondering how I made it Saban style). Here's the original to compare. 

I also managed to get some diving in and we started planning Joel's April break vacation. We are doing some travelling with 2 other couples and I am getting really excited! We are heading to Anguilla and St. Barts. Anguilla has over 33 beaches, compared to Saba that is 33 times as many! and St. Barts.... well I am scared they might not let me on because I didn't bring any nice clothes with me and it is super posh. I'm going to try and make a dress by then. Wish me luck! 

And finally if any of you have not heard Ellen and Luca had their baby boy on Friday January 28th, only one week past due! Both mommy and baby are doing great and he is rocking a full head of hair Italian style. 

Off to do some more cooking.......

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